March 24, 2007

PRINCETON, N.J. -- Navy's heavyweight varsity boat recorded a victory of nearly five-seconds over Columbia Saturday afternoon on Lake Carnegie in Princeton, N.J., to maintain possession of the Maxwell Stevenson Trophy for the sixth-straight season.

The Mids completed the course in a time of 5:56.7 to finish ahead of the Lions, who were clocked in a time of 6:01.4.

"It was a very, very close start between us and Columbia," said Navy head coach Rick Clothier. "We had about a two-seat advantage by 500 meters, but I think Columbia held a slight lead at 1000 meters. We gave it a little push to take the lead back, then really rowed well over the final 500 meters to win by open water."

Additionally in the varsity race, George Washington placed third with a time of 6:10.9.

Navy boats won three of the remaining four races on the day, with its second varsity boat recording a time close to that of the varsity crew. The junior varsity crew for the Mids posted a time of 6:00.2 to win their race by over 13 seconds.

Also winning on the day were Navy's third varsity boat and second freshman crew. The lone defeat for the Mids on the opening day of the spring racing season was in the first freshman contest.

Navy will return to Lake Carnegie March 31 for a dual race against Princeton.

First Varsity
Navy, 5:56.7; Columbia, 6:01.4; George Washington, 6:10.9
Second Varsity
Navy, 6:00.2; Columbia, 6:13.6; George Washington, 6:18.7
Third Varsity
Navy-A, 7:04.5; Navy-B, 7:08.7; Columbia, 7:12.9
First Freshman
Columbia, 6:06.9; Navy, 6:15.5; George Washington, 6:17.6
Second Freshman
Navy, 6:30.8, George Washington, 7:00.0